Sanitary napkin



June 30, 1953 R. ATKINSON SANITARY NAPKIN Filed Oct. 31, 1950 INVENTOR Patented June 30, 1953 SANITARY NAPKIN Ralph L. Atkinson, Westfield, N. J., assigner to Personal Products Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Application October 31, 1950, Serial No. 193,175

This invention relates to sanitary napkins and is concerned primarily with those of the disposable variety having absorbent pads covered by wrapper supports. i

Sanitary napkins of the prior art fall into three general classes: (l) uif type napkins; (2) paper layer types; and (3) laminations of paper layers on fluff center napkins. The chief advantage of the first type resides in its softness and in its comfort for the wearer. The layer type on the other hand excels in firmness and shape retention, both of which are desirable from the angle of protecting the user. Paper laminations on fluff center napkin show some of the advantages of both types.

Unfortunately each of the sanitary napkin types of .the prior art also has one or more important disadvantages. Thus prior art fluff type napkins have a tendency to lose shape while being worn, and both paper layer types feel somewhat hard, harsh and uncomfortable.

The principal demand made upon sanitary napkins is in the direction of comfort and protection. In the past women had to compromise to some extent and had to accept the type of napkin that they believed fulfilled their requirements most nearly. Necessity forced them to accept the disadvantages ofthe napkin type they chose.

It is a principal purpose of the invention to provide a sanitary napkin that combines and surpasses the desirable features of present day napkins, and that, at the same time, does not exhibit the undesirable features of such napkins. It is a further object of the invention to provide a sanitary napkin showing a desirable degree of resistance to deformation and maintaining its shape, firmness, and position during use. An-

other object of the invention is the development of a sanitary napkin that is not harsh but soft and comfortable. 1t is a still further object of the invention to provide a sanitary napkin that is not bulky but shows strong retardation of menstrual uid penetration, and particularly that shows no penetration at its sides. A further object of the invention is the provision of a sanitary napkin which can be made economically on economical machinery and which is not expensive in manufactureor use.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description, furnished by Way of example only and not by way of limitation, particularly when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

9 Claims. (Cl. 12S-290) Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a sanitary napkin made in accordance with a preferred ernbodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through lines 2-2 of Fig. l; and, f

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial horizontal section through lines 3-3 of Fig. l.

The invention is based upon the discovery that a form retaining, yet surprisingly soft and satisfactory, sanitary napkin results from the assembly within an outer wrapper of two opposed, individually wrapped, fluff layers, and, between said layers a central tissue layer of substantial bulk. The sanitary napkin is particularly satisfactory when its outer wrapper includes a semil repellent tissue member, and when each longitudinal edge includes a repellent member to prevent discharge of fluid from the sides and accordingly their hardening. lIt is best when its central tissue` layer includes a repellent so as to add to the prevention of fluid passage through the napkin.

A typical napkin l0, made in accordance with the invention is shown in the attached drawings. The napkin I0 contains a substantial layer of absorbent tissues i l, e. g., twelve layers of tissue weighing twelve pounds per rearn of four hun-v dred eighty sheets, twenty-four by twenty-six inches.V More or less tissue may be provided but it is preferred that the tissue layer comprise not less than six and not more than twenty layers of tissue weighing twelvepounds per ream, or an equivalent Weight of some other tissue. sue is preferable creped and the crepe may eX- tend in either direction.

In the best forms of the invention one or more layers ofv repellent tissue I2 are associated with the center absorbent tissue layer l i. In this location, repellent tissue layers', which are` usually7 composed of sized lightweight tissue paper,V for example sized with five per cent by weight of a rosin contribute materially to the fluid passage resistance and to the fluid retention of the napkin. It will be observed that the illustration shows the repellent tissue not in the center but near the outside of the absorbent tissue layer. This position is thoroughly satisfactory. As most users prefer to wear the napkin, which is preferably reversible, with the wrapper overlap i3 away from'the body the repellent tissue i2 is arranged preferably on the side of the absorbent tissue layer Il nearer to the overlap i3 so that,

in normal use, the fluid is fully distributed prior The tisdividual Wrapper I5, so as to aid materially in the form retention of the napkin. By fluff is meant purined disintegrated Wood pulp such as alpha cellulose, although for some purposes fluff made from cotton and other soft fibers may be desirable. Each fluff layer i4 is substantial and may for instance comprise forty grains of alpha cellulose fluif. The absorbent tissue H and the nuff layers Hl are normally of about the same Weight but some variations in Weight are possible within the spirit of the invention provided each layer remains substantial and has in itself a substantial iiuid absorbing capacity. Each longitudinal edge I6 of the combination of the absorbent tissue layer and the two fluff layers is covered by one or more longitudinal Side-strips Il of fluid-repellent i. e. hydrophobic tissue. These side-strips I1 prevent undue side penetration of iiuid from within the sanitary napkin and aid in maintaining its form, accordingly protecting the user of the napkin against fluid dis-v charge from the napkin.

The entire assembly described thus far is held within an outer wrapper I8 which comprises preferably a semi-repellent tissue layer, such as the layer i9 of the illustration and one 0r more gauze and/or non-Woven fabric layers 28. The semi-repellent tissue is hydrophobic but permits penetration by Water or menstrual iluid i. e. un-

absorbed drops form on its surface but penetrate it quickly and are absorbed within the interior of the napkin.

The product of the invention retains the softness and comfort of the ui type napkins and departs from the harshness of all layer type napkins, since the laminated tissue layer is concealed within its center and does not Contact the cation and/'or the appended claims are cornprehended within the scope and spirit of this invention. The embodiment of the invention was described for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation. All variations and modifications of the invention are understood as being vincluded within the scope thereof.

The claims are:

l. A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated absorbent pad and an outer Wrapper therefor, said absorbent pad comprising a center layer composed of a substantial number and weight of absorbent tissues and including on one of its faces a fluid-repellent tissue and, superposed on each face of said center layer, an individualli7 Wrapped and accordingly form retaining fluff layer of substantial Weight, the combination of said three layers being covered at both edges of the napkin and Within said outer wrapper by repellent side strips to prevent penetration of said fluid from said napkin through said edges, and said outer Wrapper including a tissue having some degree of fluid repellency, but adapted to transmit fluid.

2. A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated absorbent pad and an outer wrapper therefor, said absorbent pad comprising a center layer composed of a substantial number and weight of absorbent tissues and including a repellent tissue and, superposed on each face of said center layer,

an individually Wrapped and accordingly formretaining fluff layer of substantial Weight, the combination of said three layers being covered at both edges of the napkin and within said outer wrapper by fluid-repellent side strips to prevent penetration of fluid from said napkin through said edges, and said outer wrapper including a semirepellent tissue.

3. A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated absorbent pad and an outer wrapper therefor, said absorbent pad comprising a center layer composed of a substantial number and Weight of absorbent tissues and, superposed on each face of said center layer, an individually wrapped and accordingly form-retaining fiuif layer of substantial Weight, the combination of said three layers being covered at both edges of the napkin and Within said outer wrapper by fluid-repellent side strips to prevent penetration of fluid from said napkin through said edges, and said outer Wrapper including semi-repellent tissue.

4. A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated absorbent form-retaining pad of soft feel and an outer Wrapper therefor, said absorbent pad comprising a center layer composed of a substantial number and weight of absorbent tissues and including fluid-repellent tissue, and superposed on each face of said center layer, and contacting it, a form-retaining soft iluff layer of substantial Weight, the combination of said three layers being covered at both edges of the napkin and Within said outer Wrapper by fluid-repellent side strips to prevent penetration of fluid from said napkin through said edges.

5.A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated absorbent pad and an outer wrapper'therefor, said absorbent pad comprising a center layer composed of a substantial number and weight of absorbent tissues and, superposed on each face of said center layer, an individually Wrapped and accordingly form-retaining fluff layer of substantial Weight, the combination of said three layers being covered at both edges of the nap-kin and Within said outer Wrapper by fluid-repellent sidel strips to prevent penetration of fluid from said napkin through said edges.

6. A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated absorbent pad and an outer wrapper therefor, said absorbent pad comprising a center layer composed of a substantial number and Weight of absorbent tissues and including a fluid-repellent tissue and, sup-erposed on each face of said center layer, an individually Wrapped and accordingly form retaining purified disintegrated alpha cellulose fluff layer of substantial weight, the combination of said three layers being covered at both edges of the napkin and within said outer Wrapper by repellent side strips to prevent penetration of uid from said napkin through said edges, and said outer Wrapper including a semi-repellent tissue and non-Woven fabric.

7. A sanitary napkin comprising an elongated absorbent pad and an outer Wrapper therefor, said absorbent ipad comprising a center layer composed of a substantial number and Weight of absorbent tissues and including a duid-repellent tissue without its center and, superposed on each face of said center layer, an individually Wrapped and accordingly form retaining flui layer of substantial'vveight, the combination of said three layers being covered at both edges of the napkin and within said outer Wrapper by repellent side stri-ps to prevent penetration of said uid from said napkin through said edges, and said outer aes/4.94356` absorbent form-retaining pad of soft feel and an outer wrapper therefor, said absorbent pad ccmprising a center layer composed of a substantial number and Weight of absorbent tissues and including duid-repellent tissue, and, superposed on each face of said center layer, and contacting it,

.a form-retaining soft fluff layer of substantial Weight, the combination of said three layers being covered at both edges of the napkin and Within said outer wrapper by fluid-repellent side strips to prevent penetration of uid from said napkin through said edges, said fluid-repellent tissue being arranged on one side of the absorbent tissue layer.

RALPH L. ATKINSON.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,024,976 Mathey et al Dec. 17, 1935 2,294,899 Fourness et a1 Sept. 8, 1942 2,464,640 Fourness Mar. 15, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 432,825 Great Britain Aug. 2, 1935 

